Review: Apple vs Google USB-C Headphone Adapters

[minimalist]

How do you deal with clock synchronization issues between channels handled by different dongles? Channels have to be precisely time-aligned, which seems difficult to do if they are separate USB devices.

lsusb gives strong hints that the dongle runs in synchronized mode (on an internal clock synchronized to USB SOF packages). That should avoid any sync issues:

...
AudioControl Interface Descriptor:
bLength 8
bDescriptorType 36
bDescriptorSubtype 10 (CLOCK_SOURCE)
bClockID 9
bmAttributes 7 Internal programmable clock (synchronized to SOF)

...

Endpoint Descriptor:
bLength 7
bDescriptorType 5
bEndpointAddress 0x02 EP 2 OUT
bmAttributes 13
Transfer Type Isochronous
Synch Type Synchronous
Usage Type Data
wMaxPacketSize 0x0120 1x 288 bytes
bInterval 1
...

 

[LukaTCE]

Hi Is Ugreen 3.5 to USB is TRRS(CTIA/OMTP) Hi-Res 32bit/384kHz 110dBFS comparable with CX31993 MAX97220 or is Ugreen just with DAC? with extra port for USB-C so for charging or I can plug something extra with USB for 15€

https://www.amazon.com/UGREEN-Magnetic-Adapter-Charger-Charging/dp/B0CJXWJ596

Is better I go with any other DAC? then this generic? I would like to use it for phone calls so Bluetooth is nice as often microphones have problem and Fiio BTR11 supports only 48kbit ? for 20€
Also I don't need much power I would like just it works with Sennheiser HD 598 50 Ohm and microphone boom mic like Ablet Boom Microphone is 15€ TRRS to TRS also 2 outputs
I checked some Youtube and it sound similar to V-modaPro
https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Boom-Microphone-Cable-Compatible-PlayStation/dp/B07W1G95PH

Thx,
Luka

 

[Ismapics]

Hi Is Ugreen 3.5 to USB is TRRS(CTIA/OMTP) Hi-Res 32bit/384kHz 110dBFS comparable with CX31993 MAX97220 or is Ugreen just with DAC? with extra port for USB-C so for charging or I can plug something extra with USB for 15€

https://www.amazon.com/UGREEN-Magnetic-Adapter-Charger-Charging/dp/B0CJXWJ596

Is better I go with any other DAC? then this generic? I would like to use it for phone calls so Bluetooth is nice as often microphones have problem and Fiio BTR11 supports only 48kbit ? for 20€
Also I don't need much power I would like just it works with Sennheiser HD 598 50 Ohm and microphone boom mic like Ablet Boom Microphone is 15€ TRRS to TRS also 2 outputs
I checked some Youtube and it sound similar to V-modaPro
https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Boom-Microphone-Cable-Compatible-PlayStation/dp/B07W1G95PH

Thx,
Luka

I have the Fiio BTR11 and no complaints. Long battery life, sounds really good and calls sound better than when it was the BTRu (micro). Using it with Tin T2 IEMs and Koss Porta Pro.

 

[LukaTCE]

I have the Fiio BTR11 and no complaints. Long battery life, sounds really good and calls sound better than when it was the BTRu (micro). Using it with Tin T2 IEMs and Koss Porta Pro.

Hi so with Fiio BTR11 it also work with microphone? Please check if it works with microphone I see Fiio JA11 works with inline microphone that means it's TRRS?
So I could use combo with headset with microphone like Sennheiser HD 598 and Ablet Boom mic that have TRRS and mic quality is very similar to V-moda and probably even Anltion Boom Mic. So Fiio BTR11 only works Bluetooth? and 44hz at 16kbit? Is audio quality worse then 3.5? so I can use it for phone calls and also microphone will work from headset and not mobile phone. I don't care for Bluetooth but usually Bluetooth works best for smart phones for compatibility I guess

Guangzhou FiiO Electronics Technology Co., Ltd.-BTR11_parameters

Guangzhou FiiO Electronics Technology Co., Ltd.

www.fiio.com

Ablet Boom Mic TRRS I don't know what cable is with TRRS to TRS so I think best I order different often German Amazon offer mostly Ugreen
Also it will lock into place as it have connector made for Sennheiser with lock

https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Boom-Microphone-Playstation-Controller/dp/B07W1G95PH?th=1

Fiio JA11 show inline mic works so I guess that's TRRS from headset with microphone. And they even have Android app (well too bad it doesn't work on iphone but I have Android)

Headphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org

www.head-fi.org

 

[Ismapics]

Hi so with Fiio BTR11 it also work with microphone? Please check if it works with microphone I see Fiio JA11 works with inline microphone that means it's TRRS?
So I could use combo with headset with microphone like Sennheiser HD 598 and Ablet Boom mic that have TRRS and mic quality is very similar to V-moda and probably even Anltion Boom Mic. So Fiio BTR11 only works Bluetooth? and 44hz at 16kbit? Is audio quality worse then 3.5? so I can use it for phone calls and also microphone will work from headset and not mobile phone. I don't care for Bluetooth but usually Bluetooth works best for smart phones for compatibility I guess

Guangzhou FiiO Electronics Technology Co., Ltd.-BTR11_parameters

Guangzhou FiiO Electronics Technology Co., Ltd.

www.fiio.com

Ablet Boom Mic TRRS I don't know what cable is with TRRS to TRS so I think best I order different often German Amazon offer mostly Ugreen
Also it will lock into place as it have connector made for Sennheiser with lock

https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Boom-Microphone-Playstation-Controller/dp/B07W1G95PH?th=1

Fiio JA11 show inline mic works so I guess that's TRRS from headset with microphone. And they even have Android app (well too bad it doesn't work on iphone but I have Android)

Headphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org

www.head-fi.org

The BTR11 only works with its own internal mike. It's not optimal but It works in a bind no problem.

 

[LukaTCE]

Hi is EU version of Apple dongle enough powerful for Sennheiser HD 598 with TRRS Boom Microphone from Ablet or V-Moda BoomPro or Shure SmartLav Plus (SmartLav+
So I can use it for phone calls and Sennheiser HD 598 are open back 50Ohm natural, audiophile so they are easy to drive

Hi I would like to use DAC with Sennheiser HD 598 for phone calls using Ablet Boom Mic or Shure SmartLav Plus (SmartLav+) or V-Moda BoomPro (with Sennheiser 2.5 to 3.5 adapter and is hard to find) With Shure SmartLav+ and headphones then I should use Y splitter or is better I buy Ablet or V-Moda as is headphones and microphone cable already in all. I am just asking for better microphone quality and no problems.
Are there any problems with Fiio JA11 vs Fiio Jiezi vs Fiio Tiny A vs Fiio Melody?
And what is better to buy Fiio JA11 vs Fiio Jiezi vs Fiio Tiny A vs Fiio Melody?
Is Fiio Tiny A Better than Fiio Jiezi and if 60W of charging is just for charging or also for data so I can use USB microphone like Maono 300X or Maono 200W Wireless or Fifine K688
So all the problems with JA11 are fixed with Fiio Jiezi?

And I can't buy Fiio JA11, Fiio Jiezi, Fiio Tiny A & B in Amazon Germany

I see in this topic mic is almost unusable on Fiio JA11. Are microphone problems fixed with firmware update? I have Android but I can also use it on PC and 3.5 4 pole foil shielded cable?

https://www.reddit.com/r/iems/comments/1if6wz9/moondrop_echo_a_vs_fiio_ja11

Thanks,
Luka

 

[staticV3]

Hi is EU version of Apple dongle enough powerful for Sennheiser HD 598 with TRRS Boom Microphone from Ablet or V-Moda BoomPro or Shure SmartLav Plus (SmartLav+
So I can use it for phone calls and Sennheiser HD 598 are open back 50Ohm natural, audiophile so they are easy to drive

Hi I would like to use DAC with Sennheiser HD 598 for phone calls using Ablet Boom Mic or Shure SmartLav Plus (SmartLav+) or V-Moda BoomPro (with Sennheiser 2.5 to 3.5 adapter and is hard to find) With Shure SmartLav+ and headphones then I should use Y splitter or is better I buy Ablet or V-Moda as is headphones and microphone cable already in all. I am just asking for better microphone quality and no problems.
Are there any problems with Fiio JA11 vs Fiio Jiezi vs Fiio Tiny A vs Fiio Melody?
And what is better to buy Fiio JA11 vs Fiio Jiezi vs Fiio Tiny A vs Fiio Melody?
Is Fiio Tiny A Better than Fiio Jiezi and if 60W of charging is just for charging or also for data so I can use USB microphone like Maono 300X or Maono 200W Wireless or Fifine K688
So all the problems with JA11 are fixed with Fiio Jiezi?

And I can't buy Fiio JA11, Fiio Jiezi, Fiio Tiny A & B in Amazon Germany

I see in this topic mic is almost unusable on Fiio JA11. Are microphone problems fixed with firmware update? I have Android but I can also use it on PC and 3.5 4 pole foil shielded cable?

https://www.reddit.com/r/iems/comments/1if6wz9/moondrop_echo_a_vs_fiio_ja11

Thanks,
Luka

Sennheiser specify the HD 598 with 112dB SPL / 1 Vrms, so very sensitive and easy to drive.

The 1V from an Apple dongle will be way more than enough, plus the Apple dongle has great recording quality.

 

[LukaTCE]

Sennheiser specify the HD 598 with 112dB SPL / 1 Vrms, so very sensitive and easy to drive.

The 1V from an Apple dongle will be way more than enough, plus the Apple dongle has great recording quality.

Hi thx for help. And EU version with 0.5vrm? so this is half the power?
Will EU version of Apple dongle work with Sennheiser HD 598?
mw should state the power output. I doubt US is double power


So I am best buying mic that doesn't require power. And in shop or official websites there is usually no info about that
So better just staying with basic V-Moda Boompro or Ablet as they are made for PC and should require no power
For Rode SmarLav mic it say 2.7V and power from phone but this is for old phones with 3.5
I want to use it for phone calls

I think Behringer BC LAV doesn't need power I think and Boya BY-M1 have button battery and one Boya for smart phone BY M1S doesn't have batter but still not sure what to use so I guess that one with no battery the only source is phone.
Behringer BC LAV Go need power source
This all mic are meant for recording and not for phone calls you also need headphones.
Guess it would be just easier buying phone with 3.5 or a foil shielded 3.5 to PC and USB as I already had problems with Maono 300X but I guess is just for monitoring jack and I had the same problems to 3.5 to PC like in phones from 2005 or 2000 loud static when you are on phone calls close to speakers or radio
I hope EU version of Apple will work and is powerful enough. US version is only at ebay and probably takes a month with total of 30€ with shipping and taxes to Slovenia

Anything else I could buy from Amazon UK or German Amazon or muziker.com? https://www.muziker.com/
Even Amazon UK have import fees and expensive shipping. German Amazon is the cheapest except some items are cheaper in UK
Or better I buy Creative Play4 ? but can't find it to buy and Y TTRS splitter cable Creative play 3 have mic and headphone input for 20€.
But this is similar to USB dongles with Creative chip? so audio quality could be worse but that's ok as long it works well with microphone.
Or better I just buy Astro A50 open-back wireless and Bluetooth or Turtle Beach Atlas Air Turtle Beach Atlas Air
Creative USB sound card I guess would be best as it's for gaming but nothing mentions microphone power source. So back to Ablet 2.5mm or V-Moda Boompro 3.5 and adapter to 2.5 or I change the cable inside headphone casing

 

[Somafunk]

Anything else I could buy from Amazon UK or German Amazon or muziker.com

You could have a search for this new dongle dac/amp from nicehck

NICEHCK NK1 Ultra Upgraded USB-C to 3.5mm Adapter, Type C to Aux DAC D

NK1 Ultra: compact DAC/AMP cable for portables. Independent DAC + amp circuits deliver high resolution, low distortion, and robust drive.

www.nicehck.com

 

[LukaTCE]

You could have a search for this new dongle dac/amp from nicehck

NICEHCK NK1 Ultra Upgraded USB-C to 3.5mm Adapter, Type C to Aux DAC D

NK1 Ultra: compact DAC/AMP cable for portables. Independent DAC + amp circuits deliver high resolution, low distortion, and robust drive.

www.nicehck.com

Hi thx for your help. I seen Nicehck before and forgot about it. I see they are using cx31993 but I seen some review on youtube recommending Fiio JA11 over for better mic support but there are other reports with mic problems with JA11 but not saying what firmware.

I see NiceHCK TC3 have ALC5686/C100 Chip and I think would better work for mic as it's from Realtek and it's OK for me it's a little bit worse for music as I need it for phone call
Or using Viber on Windows and it have viber out to call mobile phones, landlines it's like Skype replacement or KeepCalling but also app let me choose microphone input and speaker source. But seems doesn't work well with USB mic as I had Maono 300X but I should change USB cables and 3.5 to PC or toslink? i have a hole in the floor and PC is 1 floor below my room so it's 7m also and hole is not straight and I guess toslink would break?

This is the first time I see C100 chip what is this?

So a simple question will EU Apple USB to 3.5 DAC with 0.5vrms work with Sennheiser HD 598?
I doubt is half that power.

Anyone know about a good mic amp or headphones as there are so many and Behringer is the cheapest and with a lot of ratings on Amazon or M-Audio
I am not sure what I need for headphones/headset with mic. Behringer UM2 and UMC22 and they have one just it say microphone amp.
Maono also have mic amp 48volt with bluetooth but only for microphone. So via AUX cable and Y splitter cable I put back to headphones?
Most of this are made just for microphone recording. And I need for phone calls.
Most of them are also on Amazon or Amazon Germany Amazon.de and Amazon.co.uk

USB Audio Interfaces - Muziker

USB Audio Interfaces ✓ Best Price Guarantee ✓ Fast shipping ✓ Return policy up to 30 days ✓ Professional customer service ✓ 25 years on the market

www.muziker.com

And on this forum I seen there are some problems with noise with cx31993 and amp and it works better with no AMP
I wanted to order something with CS43131 and it may have better mic support? or no sparking
So Fiio Melody or something else? Trn black pearl, I see Tempotec Sonata HD Pro have NO microphone support with same chip

I guess more expensive Creative Sound Blaster for 100€? Sound Blaster Play 4 I can't find it anywhere in Europe or UK not even Amazon or other shop search engines.
Sound Blaster Play 3 is for 20€ but older model

I have Sound Blaster Creative X-Fi Titanium but it's not USB also not sure if it works on Win 11 and it's only 3.5 MIC and Audio and not TRRS. Well at least is better soundcard then onboard on motherboard
It's first one

https://support.creative.com/kb/ShowArticle.aspx?sid=54521

 

[ZolaIII]

0.5 V without any cuts will give about 94 dB in low bass (where impedance rises sharply) on Sennheiser HD 598. Not enough for some peeks in calibration full loudness and you won't always have possibility to either skip or compensate for loudness algorithm used. Standard 2V should be enough. I would avoid Creative all together if you need ADC. Apple dongles require Android 16 to have their hardware loudness set to max (it's set low by default).

 

[staticV3]

0.5 V without any cuts will give about 94 dB in low bass (where impedance rises sharply) on Sennheiser HD 598.

Please explain how you got 94dB

 

[ZolaIII]

Please explain how you got 94dB

Looking at RAA graph plot, looking more closely up to 97 dB @ 56 Hz. Marginally enough to full loudness 12 DR program but really you want 2V so that you can afford to lose cuple (dB) at least.

 

[terminus12]

Hi. The US version drives my HE400SE really well with a -7.3dB preamp setting. Listening above -3dB gets uncomfortable for me. I also have the HD560S; with a -8dB preamp setting, I have to keep the volume at the low end of the range. I’m genuinely surprised. Why did I even buy the DX1 II?

edit:
If anyone is looking for the US version within the EU, check out https://gsmnet.eu/ and select your country; they have the MU7E2AM/A for €11.

 

[AudioSceptic]

Sennheiser specify the HD 598 with 112dB SPL / 1 Vrms, so very sensitive and easy to drive.

The 1V from an Apple dongle will be way more than enough, plus the Apple dongle has great recording quality.

Are you saying the Apple is also an ADC, or am I being really thick?

Edit: well **** me, it is! That makes it even more one of the great bargains in audio!

 

[LukaTCE]

Hi. The US version drives my HE400SE really well with a -7.3dB preamp setting. Listening above -3dB gets uncomfortable for me. I also have the HD560S; with a -8dB preamp setting, I have to keep the volume at the low end of the range. I’m genuinely surprised. Why did I even buy the DX1 II?

edit:
If anyone is looking for the US version within the EU, check out https://gsmnet.eu/ and select your country; they have the MU7E2AM/A for €11.

US Apple dongle on GSMnet is out of stock. Also they charge you for VAT/tax as it's from UK But still better then buying from Ebay

Samsung USB dongle have 3.8v out and tested on PC there is no noise while on Samsung A36 with Android 16 there is hiss with 3.5 dynamic microphone (Tracer Screamer ye a cheapo) I have so much trouble connecting. Better I go USB mic and XLR to 3.5 cable and dynamic should be fine with love voltage
I seen PickyAudio reviews with Baseus MC1 Pro have good phone call quality but seems there is battery drain problems and bluetooth connection problems even with Baseus XC1 and soundcore, earfun, (seen reddit post) I don't not if completely cut off or they are referring to busy towns and connection dropouts every 8 min and another every 15 min. I mean it's 2026 this shouldn't even exist. It's not like year 2003 bluetooth barely getting out and low battery. Guess better I go Nothing Ear Open. I have OnePlus Buds 4 (March 2026 build) and they clog my ear and ear get wet so I hear much worse after just 15 min wearing them and I hear way worse for 5-8 hours probably coz they are earbuds so I guess I need clip or open (with hooks) For battery well it drain fast not 10 hours promised but more like 5 on low volume) Or a good mic with open-back headset. But since I already have Sennheiser HD 598 I need just a good mic and sound card most likely USB but I guess it's not that good on Android or any smartphone. It's weird as iphone with Apple dongle Rode, Boya Lavalier mic have no hiss some even had lighting dongle which have less power but some said it fixed mic problem so I guess lighting gets more voltage for mic but not power for headphone audio power.

Sandberg USB card with 2 plugs have 3.3v out (haven't tried on PC) but on Android there is even more annoying hiss on mic

Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium on Win 10 I tried old drivers and it installed official one not modded and have hiss but 5.1 volts

Mobo with ALC897 3.1v with hiss

TTGK Station pics
Official download link (had trouble finding/downloading so I am sharing link)

WalkPlay

peq.szwalkplay.com

Virus free

VirusTotal

VirusTotal

www.virustotal.com

Ordered also Apple dongle but store seems 2 times delayed package for 3 weeks as I ordered also some cables and microphone
Better seems to go Antlion modmic UNI 2+ it have TRS and seems 3.5 cable or USB to sofa seems Android will allways have hiss on this dongles
Or Better to go with Fiio JA11, Fiio Jiezi, Fiio Tiny, Fiio Melody god mic support and mic volume control but not gain control

 

[terminus12]

I'm from Poland and didn't pay any customs duty. I paid 11 euros for the dongle and 5 euros for shipping. I bought two of them. It came to 27 euros including shipping.

 

[LukaTCE]

I'm from Poland and didn't pay any customs duty. I paid 11 euros for the dongle and 5 euros for shipping. I bought two of them. It came to 27 euros including shipping.

Thx for telling this. On Poland version of GSMnet is also out of stock. Can you please confirm it or is just me?
In 2015 I ordered Bose QC25 from Allegro (Poland) and they send to Slovenia but most of Allegro sellers will not send to Slovenia also they probably sell International version of Apple dongle

USB-C to 3.5mm Apple Audio Adapter, White MU7E2AM/A

USB-C to 3.5mm Apple Audio Adapter - WhiteThe Apple USB-C to 3.5 mm adapter allows you to quickly and easily connect headphones, speakers, or any device with a standard 3.5 mm audio jack to your modern devices with a USB-C port. It is the perfect solution for combining classic equipment with...

gsmnet.pl

 

[terminus12]

I can confirm. It's no longer available for me either

 

[ZolaIII]

@LukaTCE šta tebi konkretno treba (what exactly do you need)? You won't find really deacent either mics or ADC on any phones (since Nokia went down) and it ain't much better regarding gear for them. LDAC all do good sound quality (and useful mic quality, still worse than ones on the phone) while it will work the range won't go over 2m without dropouts on high (1 MB/s) with standard QC SoC's and you always have to change settings when you connect (in developer options). BT dongles with such and CS43131 and giving about 1.86 V DAC output start at 50€ but you are actually better spending a bit more in same tire. There are interfaces and stand alone DSP's that don't skimp on ADC section like ones from MOTU or Tooping but they are balanced on both ends or MiniDSP Flex which you can get and unbalanced. There where EIDA PCI-E cards that had a great ADC's and good DAC's but that's history now, Creative and ADC section is tragicomedy. SB G6 is fine regarding DAC (CS43131), not better than BT's regarding ADC while easy to cary not really (nor working) directly on Android phone. If you want analog headset with very deacent microphone search for (now old) Beyerdynamics or half deacent EPOX Seanhiser one's (it's not ADC alone, far from it). There are low latency video casting software solutions that work but they cast to phone over WiFi (with coverage of 10, 15 m with standard cheap home rooters) not the other way around.